“Yes?” Eahlswith said, already knowing what the girl would ask her.
“Is he, by any chance, free to, you know… What I mean to ask is… Does he have someone special in his life?”
He did. Or at least, she thought he did. Everything he had done since they had found one another again pointed in that direction. What could she answer? That she thought he did have someone special, and even if he didn’t, she wanted to ensure she still had a chance with him because she thought she was finally ready to accept what was between them? Could she tell someone else what she felt before she told him?
The only possible answer was no.
“I’m sorry, but he does indeed have someone special in his life.”
The deep voice caused the two women to jump. Gedla gave a squeak and dropped the loaf at her feet when Sven’s head appeared at the top of the ladder.
A moment later, he was standing in front of them, his head almost touching the ceiling. Eahlswith swallowed. Indeed she was not willing to have anyone come between them now. He was hers.
“I will leave you t-to it then,” Gedla stammered.
“Thank you, you’ve been a great help.”
There was no answer. A moment later, they were alone, Sven looming over her like another of his Norse gods, though this time Eahlswith’s mind was too addled to think which one.Wasthere even a god of lust?
“You made two beds.” It wasn’t a question, or even an accusation but an observation. “A waste of time if you ask me. We both know you are going to sleep in my arms, Alva.”
“I—”
“If you don’t want pleasure, I won’t give you pleasure.” Oh, God, the way he said those words was almost enough for herto throw herself into his arms and beg him to do just that. And she wasn’t saying that she did notwantpleasure, exactly. “But I won’t let you freeze to death, so you will sleep in my arms.”
“Just sleep?” she asked in a breath.
“Just sleep. You know that even if I want you, I can keep my hands to myself when you’ve made your wishes clear.” His voice had never been deeper, his masculine appeal more obvious.
“It’s not that I don’t want…ever again, you know, b-but I?—”
“You’re confused. I understand. You need time. I know. You’re embarrassed because you think your friend will spend the night imagining us together. Don’t be. Nothing will happen in this hay loft.”
How could he be so understanding? Her legs suddenly felt about to fold from under her. Unsurprisingly, before she could worry about collapsing to the floor in a heap, a strong arm had scooped her up, holding her against a solid, warm chest.
“You’re n-not angry?” she stammered. What had she done to deserve this man?
“Angry?” He let out a snort. “No, I’m not angry. I’ll only have you when you want me.”
“I do want you, just?—”
“Just not tonight. It’s fine.” He settled her into the hay and reached to the basket at his feet. “Now, let us see what there is to eat.”
20
The following morning, Sven and Eahlswith were amongst the first people to pass through the North gate.
Relieved to finally be able to take Eahlswith to the comfort of her home, Sven steered the cart into her street. He would see to her comfort before starting his investigation about the theft of a wool merchant’s cart. Perhaps he would ask the help of the reeve. The man was a friend of his father’s and would no doubt?—
“It’s her!”
Sven’s head snapped to the side—and his stomach fell. Eahlswith looked as well, worry etched on her face. She had no idea who had shouted at her and why, but he had recognized the woman shouting the accusation.
Richie’s mother.
She and the two men she’d been talking to placed themselves in the middle of the road, blocking his path. There was no other choice but to stop, at the risk of doing exactly what Godstan and Ealawynne had done the other night and run them over.
“Well, done, young man, you got her!”
